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Sheep farmers urged to vaccinate early against enzootic abortion
"Once we get close to tupping, there is very little we can do if there is a shortfall in vaccine supply at the crucial time." - Fiona Lovatt
Cevac warn of anticipated shortage of enzootic abortion vaccine.

Veterinary surgeons should encourage sheep farmers to vaccinate their flock early in the season to avoid the anticipated shortage of Cevac Chlamydia. The vaccine helps to protect against enzootic abortion of ewes (EAE), which is one of the most common causes of abortion in ewes, and can cost the UK sheep industry up to £20 million each year.

Ceva advises that the EAE vaccine can be administered to ewe lambs from five months of age, and to shearlings (ewes over the age of 12 months) within four months before tupping. The vaccine should be administered at least four weeks before the ram goes in with the ewes.

Ruminant veterinary advisor at Ceva Animal Health Harry Walby said: "We have been advised that there will be stock availability issues later in the year and so we are urging vets to encourage farmers to vaccinate their flocks as early as possible to utilise current provisions of Cevac Chlamydia whilst stocks are available.”

Chlamydophila abortus is a bacterium that causes EAE. It is highly infectious, spreading from sheep to sheep, mainly during lambing time, and can cause ewes to abort or give birth to weak lambs. Sheep that are infected approximately 100 days after pregnancy are unlikely to be affected in that lambing, but the bacterium becomes latent, reactivating in subsequent lambings to cause abortion.

Fiona Lovatt, recognised specialist in sheep health and production, said: “An outbreak of enzootic abortion is devastating - this is a disease for which it is essential to ‘Plan ahead, Prevent disease and Protect the flock’. 

“Once we get close to tupping, there is very little we can do if there is a shortfall in vaccine supply at the crucial time. It would be sensible to be ahead of the game and ensure that first time lambers – whether ewe lambs or shearlings - are vaccinated earlier in the season and while there are stocks available.” 

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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise £100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.